What equipment do you keep spares on hand for?

mdb_talon · Feb 22, 2022

Since I rarely throw anything away or sell equipment and have been in the hobby for a really long time I have spares of just about anything lying around, but not really intentional. I do find it is also a benefit of being involved in local clubs or having local reefing friends if that is an option in your location. Just about anything I need I could probably find someone fairly quick that has a spare I could use temporarily.

davidcalgary29 · Feb 22, 2022

I recently bought another used RSM250 (to go in the office at work) as a backup to my original 250, as Red Sea no longer supports their product and backup parts are simply almost impossible to find now. So -- along with a huge lot of spare RSM250 parts I bought off of eBay, the answer would be "everything".

jfoahs04 · Feb 22, 2022

I have backup heaters, a backup return pump, a backup powerhead, a small (5 gallon) tank which can double as a HT/QT in a pinch (combined with the powerhead and heater), as well as an airstone in case of power outage. I have a cheap old LED which I held onto in case of a light failure, but that's not essential (the tank can go black for a few days).

dadnjesse · Feb 22, 2022

I started in 2008 and didn't purchase my extra equipment as spares just upgrades over the years and never sold anything. I have around 7 return pumps, extra skimmer, calcium reactor, Halide lights, 4 heaters, 2 MP40's 4 extra wet sides, tank, ATO, enough things to start another system, plus lots more I can't think of right now.

muzikalmatt · Feb 22, 2022

I have a backup return pump that is the same make/model as my current return. I also have backup powerheads and heaters. I probably need to pick up a backup Inkbird controller and ATO pump as well. Both have been running over a year.

Lbrdsoxfan · Feb 22, 2022

Spare return pump (cheap A/C), spare heaters. I figure it's the bare minimum to keep stock alive.

Lbrdsoxfan · Feb 22, 2022

I also have batteries and other forms of backup power... But if everything goes to hell, the AC pump and 250w preset heater will get me through.

X-37B · Feb 22, 2022

For my 3 systems.
Return pumps
Powerheads with controllers
Carx pump
Co2 tank
Ato pumps
Halide bulbs
Extra full skimmer
Extra halide ballasts
Heaters
Testing supplies

rgulrich · Feb 22, 2022

Basics-return pump, internal circulation pumps, heater.
Nice to haves-perstaltic pump parts(tubing, roller assemblies, wear parts), pump parts, etc.
After three days of using my old (now retired) 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee as a generator to provide occasional water and air movement for three days, I am a firm believer and advocate for a backup power source, even if it is a basic battery backup for a circulation pump to keep things alive.
Cheers,
Ray

X-37B · Feb 22, 2022

rgulrich said:
Basics-return pump, internal circulation pumps, heater.
Nice to haves-perstaltic pump parts(tubing, roller assemblies, wear parts), pump parts, etc.
After three days of using my old (now retired) 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee as a generator to provide occasional water and air movement for three days, I am a firm believer and advocate for a backup power source, even if it is a basic battery backup for a circulation pump to keep things alive.
Cheers,
Ray

Good point. I have a large generator for said outages.

costaricareef · Feb 22, 2022

For two systems plus Invertebrate Quarantine Tank (250gal total):

- Main Pump (COR15)
- WAV
- FMM module with aquabus cables
- CaRx Eheim pump
- Neptune Solenoid
- Skimmer pump
- Tunze QT underwater light
- Tunze ATO pump
- Neptune ATO pump
- CO2 full tank
- CO2 regulator with solenoid
- Feeder

One of my LFS now carries full Neptune line at almost BRS prices, so that gives me peace of mind.

RedReefer · Feb 22, 2022

Extra return pump. Same make for an easy swap. Lots of extras from over the years...

Mark Gray · Feb 24, 2022

I jave 2 return pumps running, if one fails the other can handle it for awhile. I have tons if heater around, I finally found one I like the Inovative Marine Heilo. I have a spare eb832, I need a spare Apex head, and I do have backup lights, and a few skimmers also.

Schraufabagel · Feb 25, 2022

Heaters, return pumps, and an air pump in case of power loss

BBN Reefer · Feb 25, 2022

blaxsun said:
Impellers and o-rings for my two Sicce pumps, and a complete spare Sicce pump for my main return. Spare heads for my Neptune DOS, an extra temperature probe and various spare AquaBUS cables. Spare motor, connectors, controller and various parts for my Red Sea ReefWave45s. Spare bulb for my UV.

I run two primary/secondary heaters with a tertiary backup and have a fourth heater (unused) as a replacement. I've also got a bunch of smaller heaters I use for mixing saltwater that I can also use in a pinch.

Skimmer, reactor and lights I'm not worried about (they can all go offline for a week or more while I source a replacement).

I run Sicce pumps as well. Are you using SDC powerheads? I have one that I have not been able to connect to the app. No problem connect the return pump, but for some reason no luck with the powerheads.

RobB'z Reef · Feb 25, 2022

PSU_Reefer said:
Ive had my tank up and running for almost a year now, meaning my return pump has run almost continuously for a year. i know that is how these things are supposed to function, but It got me thinking that if and when it does fail, I don't have a plan for replacing it other than calling LFS to see if they carry equipment (and are open) or try to overnight something from BRS.

So it leads me to wonder, what equipment do you have spares for?

I do have backup heaters that i could move over from my qt setup, a HOB filter but its been wet in QT with copper so idk if i'd want to use that. Skimmer doesn't seem necessary to have a backup on. What else? anyone else buy a backup return pump and save it for a rainy day?

One backup heater (I run two in the sump), one spare wet side for my mp 60 and that's it. I run dual returns. Pretty much anything can break and I won't panic and it'll get replaced after I order it. They make this stuff everyday.

blaxsun · Feb 25, 2022

BBN Reefer said:
I run Sicce pumps as well. Are you using SDC powerheads? I have one that I have not been able to connect to the app. No problem connect the return pump, but for some reason no luck with the powerheads.

I have not tried the Sicce SDC powerheads yet. Do you know if the powerheads are IOTA compatible?

Jdzzl03 · Feb 25, 2022

Heaters, return pump, spare power-heads and air pumps (both wired and battery) are the bare minimum. I would also add a generator to this list in case you lose power for several days.

Flameback Pair · Feb 25, 2022

blaxsun said:
I have not tried the Sicce SDC powerheads yet. Do you know if the powerheads are IOTA compatible?

Yes @blaxsun they are.

I'm glad I found this thread. Funny thing: I ordered an Eheim air pump from Amazon a week ago and they accidentally sent two. Instead of keeping the second as a spare, I sent it back for a refund. I wish I would have kept it.

I figure I need backups and seconds for two different things. In case of an emergency, and when not in an emergency when something just breaks and needs replacing. From now on I'll order two of the essential things needed for this.

For lights I have a Radion/T5 system and have extra T5 bulbs on hand. However my Radions are GEN4 and they don't make them anymore. I'll have to go on R2R drygoods wanted for a used one.

I use a COR-15 pump and although it gets power from an EB832, it has its own control box. I have a spare cor and control box.

I run Cobalt Neo Therm Pro heaters, two 200W at same time and need to get a spare. Although I have spare heaters I want same make/model.

I have Jackery and CyberPower BBUs and need to get seconds of both. I keep these charged during a power outage with my generator.

I have misc. Apex module spares and pump, lights, powerhead spares although I don't need same, make for make, and model for model for most all my spares, I want same, same for all the main essentials.